Which kid gets in?

If you could recommend only one of two children for a gifted program, would you recommend a child with very high intelligence who refused to do their work and who was disruptive, or a child of less (but still above average) intelligence who works hard and get along well with the other kids?

Comments (192)

Because at the elementary level, the gifted program is usually the only place a child can get anything "above and beyond" the reuglar curriculum. And assuming the regular curriculum is just perfect for kids at the 50th percentile, I'd venture that 30-40% of kids in most elementary-school classrooms would benefit from a gifted program. More than that in an upper socio-economic area.

Maybe. But gifted kids are outliers. While the current system is not perfect for all students, the goal is to be appropriate for most. Which leaves the outliers.

The thing is, being gifted should really mean having an IEP. It isn't about getting more so you can go above and beyond, but about getting what you need to go.

Of course I do. I was in my school distirct's inaugural gifted program, and as I posted, my DD was in the gifted program at her school too.

My son will never qualify for the gifted program, but I guarantee you he would benefit from it. In fact he would LOVE it, especially the logic challenges and the robotics, and he asks when he can go almost weekly. It breaks my heart to tell him it's not going to happen.

While I see the wish for an IEP, I, as a teacher, understand the sheer impossibility of meeting every kid's educational needs. I was a bored kid, I know how it feels, but at some point, the school has other priorities (kids that are at risk, etc.) and it's on you as a parent to make sure your kids' needs are being met. The state of gifted education is pretty dismal, but I totally understand why. I know I will be having to deal with my kids myself, ultimately.

While I see the wish for an IEP, I, as a teacher, understand the sheer impossibility of meeting every kid's educational needs. I was a bored kid, I know how it feels, but at some point, the school has other priorities (kids that are at risk, etc.) and it's on you as a parent to make sure your kids' needs are being met. The state of gifted education is pretty dismal, but I totally understand why. I know I will be having to deal with my kids myself, ultimately.

I fail to understand why the gifted kids are not priorities. They should be of equal priority to any other kids with disabilities.

You really think they should be equal priorities? As a former gifted kid, I don't agree. I was going to be fine whether they helped me or not. There are a lot of other kids that need that teacher's time and energy a lot more if they are even going to be employable. With 30 plus kids in a class a teacher can only differentiate so much.

Yes, they should be of equal priority. It's absurd to say otherwise. The goal isn't for kids "to be fine". It is to help them reach their potential. Gifted kids are also entitled to an appropriate education.

Hippo. Absolutely I would pick the disruptive kid - s/he's probably understimulated and if the other kid is thriving already, then I don't see why you wouldn't pick the gifted kid. Gifted kids need extra help almost like delayed kids need extra help - if they are to fulfill their potential - often gifted kids overlooked because people just figure "aw, they're smart, they'll be fine," when really having a gifted mind comes with its own challenges.